I don’t do this often but I’ve just had an interesting discussion with DRT Auto used car sales and servicing company in Clydach Swansea. A brief history; I saw DRT Auto advertising a few cars on ebay and decided to pop up to Clydach and see what used cars they had in stock. A rather nice Mazda MX6 caught my eye and we started it up and made the basic checks. I spoke to the owner who seemed very defensive when I asked about his returns policy/warranty. He told me outright, they’ll bring it round, I’ll go for a drive and if anything’s wrong, he’ll give my money back.

The day came and DRT autos did indeed deliver the car, pointed out the absence of one brakelight and then left… no test drive, no checks, no nothing. I sorted out the insurance and went for a quick spin around the block. (I’m not used to manual cars so didn’t put any pressure on it.). I picked up Yovina in it, dropped her off and picked her up the next day. Looking outside the window, I noticed a large puddle, after investigation it was spewing water from the water pump. Driving it in this condition will damage the engine, so it’s housebound. Also checking through MOT rules (which is due shortly), the handbrake cable was dangerously loose, one other rear light was missing, and the drivers seatbelt didn’t retract smoothly… Thus making it unfit for purpose under the sale of good act. It also makes it dangerous. Non-essential problems include interior boot light full of water, the heater blower and a/c didn’t work. The latter are convenience items and therefore not much hassle for me to fix.

I called DRT Autos straight away and started with the Water pump which they said they would sort. 3 days later, I called them back and they now want to charge me for the repair work and part!

After research, selling a vehicle in this condition is illegal and I am fully in the belief that they are completely liable to repair these issues or offer a full refund. They unfortunately aren’t liable for the heater resistor pack I bought, the Haynes manual or spare bulbs. I will be contacting Trading standards in the morning because DRT Autos is not conforming to UK law, have given me a rather expensive and dangerous oversized paperweight when I asked for a car, which I could drive, road worthiness should have been assumed. Trade Centre Wales have just been fined £5000 for a similar case.

In the meantime, I have no car to speak of and am fuming. I have places to go and more importantly, Yovina needs to get to work every day!

*UPDATE 9th March 2010*

Phoned the garage back, I’ve decided to get them to do the work paid or not. If they do charge me, and it wasn’t just an error, I will then go through trading standards. I spoke to the same guy who said the mechanic had a heart attack and is in hospital so they probably can’t do it this week… Part of me wants it to be true so that they’re not just making excuses, the other part doesn’t because well… heart attacks aren’t good. He also told me it should be ok to drive provided I keep topping up with water… do I believe him? I’m not sure. Posted this question on an MX6 forum so will see what the replies are.

*UPDATE 10th March 2010*

Had a missed call at 8am this morning from DRT Auto. I called back mid afternoon and spoke to the same person as yesterday. The guy who suffered the heart attack is back at work today. (In the days of the credit crunch, I doubt DRT Autos offer sick pay (although I could be wrong) so a speedy recovery is essential.) The person I spoke to said he would come round after work to have a look at it… 20:16pm he’s not arrived… 11th March – Still heard nothing. Will try calling again but keep getting engaged tone… This blog is currently top in Google for ‘DRT Autos’

*UPDATE 11th March 2010*

DRT Auto Mechanic with a heart attack is off again. He offered to come by tonight but I arranged to take the car to their garage tomorrow at 11… At least there I can’t get fobbed off or ignored.

*UPDATE 18th March 2010*

I went in last Friday, the heart-attack mechanic had a look and confirmed it was the water pump. I mentioned the ABS light (which is an MOT failure and potentially dodgy brakes) he just swore about his own nightmare with these and says it’s pretty much a gamble when they come on and off. I tried to explain mine was always on but he went back to another car he was servicing complaining that the water pump replacement was going to be a hellishly long job.

The boss came wandering over and asked if he’d ordered the part, I said I have no idea, he wandered off, came back and said they’ll call me in a couple of days to collect and repair the car… almost a week on, I’ve heard nothing…

*UPDATE – 29th March*

DRT auto still don’t have the part. I phoned Eurocarparts (5 mins from Clydach) and they said they would have one the following day. Indeed they did. I now have a water pump and various other parts needed to make this car roadworthy and legal. The ABS brake problem I’ll need to head to a garage for, as with the brake fluid leak I can’t find. I frankly no longer trust DRT Auto to fix so I have been advised to keep all receipts for any parts and labour and Trading standards will hopefully be working to claim as much back from the garage as possible.

When I first visited, the mechanic (the one who later had a heart attack) complained of people braking into the grounds, smashing windscreens etc. I have a feeling I know why, they probably sold them a car too.

*UPDATE – 10th April 2010*

It’s official, I sent the car in for an MOT. Rear brake disks excessively pitted. Excessive play in steering system, Serious leak in 1 shock absorber leaving it with negligible damping effect, parking brake recording little or no effort, ABS faulty.

I found the brake fluid leak and tightened a bolt to keep it contained. I have also given the seatbelts a good clean to aid their retraction so these managed to get through. Alarmed at everything else wrong with it. Drove in with MOT report he booked me in on Monday to repair and booked an MOT on Tuesday.

*UPDATE 19th April 2010 *

Brought car in to DRT Autos in Clydach as requested on the Monday for repair. He sent me to the cafe to talk to heart attack guy for costings… At this stage I don’t care about prices, I just need this done before I commit suicide. We walked back up to the garage and he made a list of parts. He then sent me home and said he’d order the parts in and give me a call then started whining about their incompetent suppliers… deja vu here, we’ve done this bit with the water pump… They still don’t have one of these in the garage, I asked. I guess we’re missing the MOT booking tomorrow then Dave? 6 weeks and counting. Still no water pump, and quickly losing my sanity!

DO NOT USE DRT AUTO IN CLYDACH, THEY SOLD ME AN UNROADWORTHY VEHICLE ILLEGALLY AND HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE EVER SINCE